Apple Music Awards 2019: Billie Eilish and Lizzo win big, Lil Nas X's 'Old Town Road' named Song of the Year
Apple just introduced the Apple Music Awards to honor the best and boldest musicians of 2019, and to acknowledge the enormous impact they have had on global culture this year.
The Apple Music Awards will be streamed live from the Steve Jobs Theater at Apple Park on December 4 at 6:30 pm PST and will celebrate the achievements in music across five distinct categories. The exclusive event is expected to see a bespoke performance by Billie Eilish.
Known for songs like 'Ocean Eyes' and 'Bury A Friend', Billie Eilish will receive the top honor of Global Artist of the Year. Co-written and produced by her brother Finneas, her debut album 'When We Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?' turned into an instant worldwide sensation and is the most-played album on Apple Music this year. Additionally, the same album also earns Apple Music's Album of the Year award with more than a billion streams on Apple Music.
If that wasn't enough, Eilish also bagged the Songwriter of the Year award, for which she shares credit with her brother.
Meanwhile, Lizzo received the Breakthrough Artist of the Year award and she told Apple Music that redefining the image of pop stardom is "what a breakthrough is all about." With hits like 'Cuz I Love You' and the chin-up single 'Truth Hurts' to her credit, her songs depict the joyful, bawdy message of self-love as an antidote to 2019.
A true viral sensation, 'Old Town Road' by Lil Nas X became the most-streamed anthem and has been chosen as Song of the Year. "I went into the realm of a loner cowboy, needing to run away from everything," Lil Nas X told Apple Music. "But I also wanted to put it with what was on the rise, which is the whole meme culture—plus actually making it a listenable, catchy song."
Shedding light on the first installment of the awards night, Oliver Schusser, vice president of Apple Music and International Content, said, "The Apple Music Awards are designed to recognize the passion, energy and creativity of the world's favorite artists."
"The musically diverse group of inaugural winners have sparked deep social conversation, influenced culture and inspired our customers around the world. We couldn't be more excited to celebrate them," he added.
While the winners for Global Artist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year and Breakthrough Artist of the Year were hand-selected by Apple Music's global editorial team of experts and tastemakers, the awards for Album of the Year and Song of the Year are based on streaming data and reflective of what Apple Music customers have been listening to this year.